Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-07-19

wac SNohAIii
ary in those times the children were sent
to school only when the weather was such
as to hinder work upon the farm. New
erth eess James z improved every oppcr-
tGnity offered and acquired as much of an
education as was possible.
At the age of twenty five he ahan-
doned farming and opened hotel in
Ashland county, Ohio, and from
there be came to Illinois in 1855, and en-
tered into the lumber business at Geneseo
going thence after few months to Mus
catine, Iowa. where he engaged in the
livery business In 1855 he returned to
Ohio, farmed few years and again be-
came hotel keeper at Geneseo. His
next move was TO Rock Island, accepting
q position as commercial traveller for C..
Tegeler, and for eight years be carried the
sample case Then he bought an interest
in Mr.. Tegeler's business aud the part
nershIp lasted five years In March, 1880.
the wholesale liquor fra of Mott Il
Epstein was formed, and June following
Mr.. B. Winter purchased Mr. EDstein's
interest, and the firm of Mott s Winter
was established The firm thrived for
several years, forming one of the most
important factors in Rock Islands in
dustrial and commercial history Later
Mr. Mott disposed of his interest in the
business, the firm of Winter & Lemburg
succeeding A little over year ago Mr..
Mott and ". r. Ladders formed business
alliance and entered the hardware trade
on Second avenue. west of the Rock ISL
and house Afterward Mr. Mott became
sole owner Of the store at which he was
still at the head, when death occurred.
In 1882 Mr.. Mott was prevailed upon
to make the race for alderman on the
democratic ticket in the Third ward
and although the ward was then r-publi>
can, be was elected A year later he
became the standard bearer of the
local democracy in the municipal con
test at the polls. and was again victor
ious, defeating Mayor Henry Cause in his
candidacy for reelection. In 1885 he was
candidate for reelection. but through d
combination of the republicans and
nationals he was defeated Last spring
he was urged by the democracy to again
run for the office of mayor, aud many OF
Rock Islands heaviest tax payer
pledged him their support irrespective of
party if he would allow his name to GO
before the democratic convention, but
he declined
Mr. Mott was married at Fairfield, o
in October, 1848, to Miss Lille |. Bur
dick, who, with the only child, a son
Sanford Mott-survives her husband.
james T. Mott was an industrious
honest man, and these same characters
tics which he employed in the pursuit 0
his private affairs, he carried into publ
life as chief executive of the city, and hi
administration proved one of the mos
economical and generally satisfactory o
any the city of Rock Island has ever had
Mr.. Mott was a man who was esteeme,
alike as merchant, citizen and public of
fetal and his death will be looked upol
as loss TO the community. Conscicn
tious in the discharge of every trust i'm
posed upon him, he was peculiarly sens
tive TO attacks by political enemies, an
criticism which would have been un
needed by Others less considerate of duty
grieved him greatly. He always did til
best he could, striving to be honest in a
his dealings, and as ian honest man is tt
n)blest work of Cod he leaves q re
cDrd of which his family and his fello
townsmen may look upon with pride.
The funeral will be held from the fan